The global aviation industry reported lowest number of accidents involving passenger flights since 1945 making air travel the safest mode of travel globally. The year 2012 was an extremely safe year for civil aviation, reports Aviation Safety Network (ASN). The Aviation Safety Network recorded a total of 23 fatal airliner accidents, resulting in 475 fatalities and 36 ground fatalities. Both figures are extremely lower than the ten-year average of 34 accidents and 773 fatalities.

According to ASN President Harro Ranter, “Since 1997 the average number of airliner accidents has shown a steady and persistent decline, probably for a great deal thanks to the continuing safety-driven efforts by international aviation organisations such as ICAO, IATA, Flight Safety Foundation and the aviation industry.”

Not only this, 2012 also marked the longest period without a fatal airliner accident in modern aviation history. This record period of 68 days ended on January 30 with the crash of an Antonov 28. The Bhoja Air Boeing 737 accident on April 20 ended the longest period (632 days, since July 28, 2010) without an airliner accident killing over 100 people.

The worst accident of the year took place on June 3, 2012 when Nigeria-based Dana Air MD-83 crashed while on its way to Lagos, Nigeria, killing 153 on board and ten on the ground, ASN reported.

The Aviation Safety Network is an independent organisation located in the (professional) interest in aviation with up-to-date, complete and reliable authoritative information on airliner accidents and safety issues.

famtripper fun fact

D'Orsay, ParisCurrent art interests you? You can not miss the Musee D'Orsay in Paris. Located on the left bank and in a former railway station, this architectural Beaux-Arts masterpiece holds mainly French art from 1848-1915.